Felony warrant issued for Summit Hill man

Friday, March 5, 2010

A felony warrant has been issued for the arrest of Travis Walck, 19, last known address 335 E. Hazard St., Summit Hill.

Charges were filed by Officer Joshua Tom of the Lansford Police department. Walck is charged with burglary and criminal trespass, both felonies; theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief. Anyone who knows of his whereabouts is asked to call police at 570-645-5844. All calls will be kept confidential.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Tom and Officer Brian Horos received a call for a burglary at a house at 362 W. Kline Ave. Upon arrival they were met by the complainant/victim, who said she was out running errands and noticed several items missing when she returned home.

The items were an Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii; nine Xbox video games; seven Nintendo Wii games and two iPods.

The officers performed a security search of the property and found the home had been entered through a basement window. The window had been screwed shut, but the burglar had gotten it open.

They then canvassed the neighborhood and were approached by a witness minutes later. The witness said that about 20 minutes before the homeowner returned home, he had seen Walck, whom he knows, coming out of the residence through the back door.

The witness said he called Walck over to his house and had a brief conversation with him about other matters. The witness said Walck then went back to the home at 362 W. kline and entered through the back door.

Police were able to retrieve most of the stolen items from various pawn shops and game stores in the borough and the Hazleton area. Half the items had been traded in by Walck, who was identified by his driver's license before any transactions were finalized by the businesses.